Jeff Kent, who spent four of his 17 MLB seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame through the Contemporary Era committee on Sunday night at the 2025 Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla.
Kent received 14 votes from the 16-person committee. Candidates needed to receive votes on 75% (12) of the ballots cast by the Contemporary Era committee in order to gain induction into Cooperstown.
Kent was the only player elected to the Hall of Fame through the Contemporary Era committee. Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Carlos Delgado, Dale Murphy, Don Mattingly, Gary Sheffield and Fernando Valenzuela all fell short of the necessary votes.
Bonds, Clemens, Sheffield and Valenzuela each received fewer than five votes. Thus by rule, the four players are not eligible for consideration when the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee next votes in 2028.
The Contemporary Baseball Era Committee ballot featured players whose most significant career impact was made since 1980, played at least 10 seasons and have been retired for 15 or more years.
Kent will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 27, 2026, along with any electees who emerge from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America vote. Results will be announced on Jan. 20.
Jeff Kent’s MLB career
Kent played for the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros and Dodgers during his 17-year career.
Kent’s 377 career home runs are most by a second basemen in MLB history. He earned five All-Star Game selections, four Silver Slugger Awards, eight Gold Gloves and won the 2000 National League MVP, among other accolades.
While appearing in 521 games over four seasons with the Dodgers to finish his career, Kent hit .291/.367/.479 with 122 doubles, 75 home runs and 311 RBI. Kent was an All-Star and won a Silver Slugger Award in 2005, his first season with the team.
Kent expressed a preference for his Hall of Fame plaque to have a Giants cap on it.
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